Faraaz: A name that inspires

Faraaz Ayaaz Hossain has become an epitome of supreme sacrifice for the cause of humanity. His refusal to leave his friends during last year's militant attack at the Holey Artisan Bakery in Gulshan was not only an act of bravery that the world saluted but also set the burning example of what a pristine youthful mind can do when it comes to choosing the right path at the expense of mere mortality.

Although sport pales into insignificance in front of his deed, an effort to memorialise Faraaz's undying spirit of courage in the form of a football competition is something very encouraging for a few hundred enthusiastic students.

The Inter-University Football Tournament, the winners of which will be awarded a trophy named the 'Faraaz Challenge Cup', is already underway in earnest in the city. And the tournament launched by organisers Sonali Otit Club and Green University with the motto of keeping the young generation away from drugs and militant activities, has already captured the imagination of a few hundred vibrant students.

The 20-team competition will be officially inaugurated at the Bangabandhu National Stadium today, but the competition that kicked off at the Birshrestha Shaheed Mostafa Kamal Stadium in Kamalapur on Wednesday has already won the hearts of the students who are particularly moved with the trophy being named after Faraaz.

 “It will be a memorial of Faraaz as long as the tournament exists. As the trophy has been named after Faraaz, he will be with us as inspiration. His role during the militant attacks will inspire others to be as brave as he was in that kind of situation,” said Brac University's captain Rafi, who is an 11th-semester student of computer science and engineering department.

Brac University handed a 3-0 defeat to Stamford University in one of the three matches held yesterday.   

 “Sport is a brilliant form of entertainment and we need entertainment. I would suggest the authorities concerned to have this type of tournament more often to keep boys away from bad things such as drugs and militant activities,” said Rafi.

 “What he [Faraaz] did was very brave and if the people are inspired by his bravery it will be really good,” said BBA student Khaza Shazeer Ahsan, who struck twice for Brac University.

Ibn Fahad, a sixth-semester student of management of South East University, said that the inter-university football tournament gave him another opportunity to play in a competition after a gap of two years.

 “I think such a tournament will have an impact in overall football because we have some good players in our side and if they are given opportunity to play in any leagues in Dhaka, they can shine,” said Fahad, who scored in a 1-1 draw against City University.

“Naming the trophy after Faraaz is a positive initiative and will inspire us to be valiant in troubled times,” added Fahad, who played Pioneer Football League in 2015.

Tournament's member secretary Sheikh Mohammad Aslam informed that they will put a portrait of Faraaz in the venues where the matches will take place.

“We deeply sympathised with those who died in the militant attack but Faraaz had shown the kind of courage which is very rare as he sacrificed his life for his friends. He is a role model for the nation. That's why we have dedicated the trophy to him,” said former national striker Aslam yesterday.